Just for you!
because we are all calculator nerds ar heart...
Whether you're just looking to play around with the numbers yourself to do a quick monthly payment calculation, or perhaps you're looking for a closing cost or property transfer tax calculator, I have them on my calculator hub - and guess what...
These aren't your moms old school spreadsheet looking 1990s calculators, they are modern, easy to use, mobile friendly calculators.
In other news... I still use those spreadsheets when getting you the best mortgage though, just a heads up ;)
Go on now, get on with your bad self and crunch those numbers!
A bank offers its own mortgage products. A mortgage broker compares options across multiple lenders and helps you choose the best fit based on cost, flexibility, and your goals.
Bank: one lender’s products
Broker: multiple lenders and strategies
Best choice depends on your needs
If you already have a bank offer, send it to me and I’ll sanity-check it.
Not always. Many buyers purchase with less than 20% down, depending on the purchase price and mortgage type. The right answer depends on your budget, price range, and long-term plan.
Less than 20% is possible in many cases
Different rules apply based on home price
Down payment source must be documented
Tell me what you have saved and what you’re aiming to buy and I’ll give you the straight truth.
An insured mortgage typically involves mortgage default insurance and is common with smaller down payments. Uninsured mortgages generally have larger down payments and different lender pricing and rules.
Insured often allows lower down payment
Uninsured often requires more equity
Pricing and eligibility can differ
Tell me your down payment and price range and I’ll tell you where you fit.
Closing costs are the not-as-fun costs that come with buying a home, and budgeting for them early keeps everything calm. In BC, closing costs often include legal or notary fees, title insurance, appraisal if required, and potentially property transfer tax depending on your situation.
Legal or notary fees
Title insurance
Appraisal if required
Moving and setup costs
Property transfer tax may apply depending on eligibility
Want a realistic estimate for your scenario? I’ll give you a range in minutes.
They’re helpful for a rough estimate, but they often miss key factors like stress test rules, debts, strata fees, and lender-specific guidelines. Use calculators for a starting point, not a final answer.
Good for ballpark figures
Not personalized to your full file
Lender rules vary widely
If you want accuracy, send me your numbers and I’ll run it properly.
Portability is the ability to move your mortgage to a new property when you buy and sell, often without paying a break penalty. Not all mortgages are equally portable, so the details matter.
Useful if you move before your term ends
Rules and timelines can be strict
New property still needs approval
If moving is on your radar, we should plan for it now, not later.
Prepayment privileges let you pay extra on your mortgage without penalty, up to a limit set by your lender. It’s a great feature if you want to pay down faster or have variable income.
Limits vary by lender and product
Options include lump sums and payment increases
Penalty rules matter
If paying down faster matters to you, I’ll help you choose a mortgage that supports that.
Credit score requirements vary by lender and mortgage type, but stronger credit generally unlocks better options. Even if your score isn’t perfect, you may still qualify depending on the full picture.
Lender requirements vary
Payment history and debt levels matter
Strategy can improve options quickly
If you’re unsure where you stand, I can review your scenario without judgment.
What can you do with my app:
Calculate your total cost of owning a home
Estimate the minimum down payment you need
Calculate Land transfer taxes and the available rebates
Calculate the maximum loan you can borrow
Stress test your mortgage
Estimate your Closing costs
Compare your options side by side
Search for the best mortgage rates
Email Summary reports (PDF)
Use my app in English, French, Spanish, Hindi and Chinese
Why I thought you'd never ask...
You have questions, I have answers!
I'd love to tell you that mortgage rates are the be all end all, and that I always have the lowest rates on the market, but that's not true. While I do have access to numerous lenders that have amazing rates, rates is actually only a small piece of the mortgage puzzle. It's the shiny object that big banks like to dangle in front of you, but there are other important things in your mortgage terms that we need to look at to make sure you're in the right product that works for you. For example, one bank might have a super low advertised rate, but only a small percentage of the population can actually access that rate. Or in other scenarios, you can access a lower rate but you're required to take on other mortgage insurance products that actually end up costing you more. I'm here to help you make sure you get the best deal all around, not just the best rate.
Yes! Not all lenders are created equal, and some of them prefer traditional T4 salaried income, while others specialize in financing for small business owners and self-employed individuals. I'm here to help you find the right one!
Everything.
Just kidding (kind of 🤪).
When you're ready to apply for your mortgage, I will send you a list of the documents you'll need to gather and this is what I use to create a package that gets sent off to the lenders to approve your mortgage. I will ask for things like your Notice of Assessments for the last 2 years from CRA, T4's for the last 2 years, 2 recent paystubs, current debts etc. I make this process as easy as possible and I'm always available throughout the process to make sure you know exactly what you're looking for and where to find it.
Technically yes, if you fit into their strict lending criteria that is. Most big banks have fairly rigid criteria that they use to determine who they will lend money to, and it's not always the easiest to fit into that box. If you already have a pre-approval from your bank, I can still take a look at it for you and make sure it's the best deal for you. If you've been turned down by your bank, then let's get this party started and apply with other lenders ;)
Yes, in almost all cases working with me is free. Even my own father never understood how this works! But it is true. We work on contingency and receive a commission from the lenders. In tougher cases, if we have to go to a private lender, fees may apply however you would be well aware of this. Although the lenders pay our commission, my fiduciary responsibility is always to you!
We don't all have squeaky clean perfect credit bureaus, don't worry!
We’ll explore your options together. I have access to numerous lenders who specialize in different financial situations including less than ideal credit scores or self-employed income for example.
Fun fact, it's actually illegal in Canada to discriminate for mortgage financing based on age. So, woohoo! What actually determines what you qualify for on a new purchase, a renewal, or a refinance is your current income, debt, other assets etc. So, get on with your bad self ;) There’s mortgage products specific to aging in place too, like reverse mortgages.